40 Best Family Friendly Hikes in Switzerland

The best hikes for families in Switzerland, including activity trails, stroller hikes, and easy panorama views. Suggestions for each major region.

Last Updated: 5 Jun 2021
By Tanya, Founder of Swiss Family Fun

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Switzerland makes hiking so easy for families. You can ride up the mountain straight to the great views and start your hike there with fresh legs. You’ll find many theme trails with fun activities along the way to motivate kids to keep walking.

Trails for families are clearly marked on maps to make planning easy and on frequent trail signs so you don’t get lost. Many mountains have a playground for the kids and restaurant with lounge chairs for the parents.

Here are the most fun hikes for families, sorted by Swiss region. We’ve done each of these with our kids and personally recommend each one.

Contents

Bernese Oberland (incl. Interlaken & Jungfrau Region)
Zermatt & Valais
Lucerne & Central Switzerland
Zürich & Eastern Switzerland
Graubünden - southeast Switzerland
Ticino - southern Switzerland
Northwest Switzerland - Jura & Three Lakes, Basel, Aargau
Lake Geneva Region - western Switzerland

Bernese Oberland (incl. Interlaken & Jungfrau Region)

Bachalpsee – Easy hike to alpine lake near Grindelwald

Easy
2 h
6 k
150m
150m

Easy hike to this beautiful alpine lake with mountain views plus a cliff walk, mountain scooters, epic zip line, and playground.

Jungfrau Region

Hasliberg Kugelweg – Marble Run Trail

Easy
1.5 h
3 k
0m
150m

Fun activity trail for children with 12 elaborate marble runs along easy 3 km path, with mountain views and shady forest for hot days. Can add on a second theme trail and/or mountain top viewpoint for a full day.

Haslital

Hasliberg Muggestutz Hike • Storybook trail for children

Easy
1.5 h
4 k
10m
280m

Follow the adventures of the Hasliberg dwarfs on this children’s theme trail with has over a dozen play stations that match the Muggestutz storybook.

Haslital

Männlichen Panorama Trail to Kleine Scheidegg

Easy
1.5 h
4.7 k
68m
237m

This easy walk is a popular trail for families, with gorgeous panorama views and a playground. Possible with an all-terrain stroller.

Jungfrau Region

Grimmialp Panorama and Theme Trail

Moderate
2.5 h
7.8 k
150m
630m

A beautiful panorama trail with several interactive stations for children, including a zip line, climbing wall, bowling, & memory game.

Bernese Oberland & Bern

Oeschinensee: How to Visit, Hikes & Insider Tips

Easy
1.5 h
4 k
110m
110m

Practical tips for visiting this gorgeous lake in the Bernese Oberland including how to skip the line, hiking maps, best activities, and where to eat and stay.

Kandersteg-Adelboden-Lenk

Zermatt & Valais

The Valais region doesn’t have a lot of activity trails but they do have some fun playgrounds and other amusements like mountain scooters and cliff walks that make the hikes interesting.

Leukerbad Dala Gorge & Thermalquellen-Weg

Moderate
1 h
3.3 k
150m
150m

Elevated metal walkways built into the canyon walls allow you to explore this gorgeous narrow river gorge, free to visit unlike most gorges like this one.

Leukerbad, Valais

Aletsch Arena • 2 day itinerary for families

Enjoy Switzerland the easy way by riding a gondola straight to an amazing viewpoint overlooking the Aletsch glacier. For a full day of fun, add on an easy stroll around an alpine lake and an exciting scooter ride down the mountain.

Aletsch Arena

Zermatt Three Lake Trail – Riffelalp to Sunnegga

Moderate
2.5 h
5.6 k
245m
175m

This hike visits three little alpine lakes, wanders through forests, and finishes with Matterhorn views and a fun playground for the kids. Add a bit of adventure with a mountain scooter ride back to Zermatt.

Valais, Zermatt

Saas Fee Höhenweg Almagelleralp • Panorama Hike & Cliff Walk

Moderate
4.5 h
9.5 k
160m
660m

Beautiful panorama hike in the mountains above Saas Fee with an optional cliff walk with suspension bridges, narrow wooden walkways, steep ladders (no safety equipment required).

Saas-Fee, Valais

Kreuzboden Alpine Playground & Wellness Theme Trail

Easy
1 h
1 k

The best option for families in the Saastal region with a big alpine playground, sensory theme trail, mountain scooters and beautiful panorama views.

Saas-Fee

Riederalp Aletsch Glacier Panorama Hike

Easy
1 h
2 k
10m
120m

Admire the impressive Aletsch glacier from the top of the Riederalp gondola and enjoy a leisurely stroll along a short panorama trail.

Aletsch Arena, Valais, Zürich Region

Lucerne & Central Switzerland

Central Switzerland has so many theme trails, it was hard to narrow it down to just six!

Hoch Ybrig Panorama Ridge Hike

Moderate
2 h
5 k
0m
330m

Easy and safe ridge hike near Zurich with fantastic mountain views. Fun extras including a super long zip line and playground with bouncy castles.

Einsiedeln-Ybrig-Zürisee

Klewenalp Trail & Alpine Playground

Easy
2 h
5.5 k
70m
360m

Beautiful mountain area near Lucerne, a good choice for families with its easy trail, two big playgrounds and a fun scooter ride down the mountain.

Obwalden

Stoos Fronalpstock viewpoint & easy panorama trail

Easy
.5 h
1.5 k
60m
60m

Spectacular mountain viewpoint over Lake Lucerne accessed by the steepest funicular in the world. Optional short and easy panorama trail along cliffs.

Stoos Muotathal

Engelberg Brunni Barefoot Tickle Trail & Playground

Easy
.5 h
.5 k
5m
5m

A barefoot sensory path around a small alpine lake with mountain views. Combine this with the treasure hunt trail, alpine slide and huge alpine playground for a great family outing.

Engelberg

Sattel Engelstock Panorama Loop Trail

Moderate
2 h
5.7 k
140m
130m

Panorama trail with sweeping views of mountains and lakes, suitable for strollers. Big play area at the end with trampolines, bouncy castles and summer toboggan.

Mythen Region, Schwyz

Illgau Chäferliweg • Ladybug theme trail for children

Easy
1 h
2.7 k
5m
350m

Theme trail for children, following ladybugs painted on the ground through alpine fields and forests. Two playgrounds and picnic areas with grills and lots of mountain views.

Stoos Muotathal

Wirzweli Witch Trail

Easy
1.5 h
3 k
20m
360m

Fun trail for kids near Lucerne with witch themed activities along the forest path. Also a big playground and summer toboggan with mountain views.

Lucerne Region

Bannalp theme trail for children

Easy
1 h
2.5 k
10m
130m

Fun theme trail with picture boards telling the story of children searching for a magic crystal and the dwarfs who protected it. Each station is accompanied by something the kids can play with.

Engelberg

Zürich & Eastern Switzerland

Heidi Trail at Pizol

Easy
4 k
120m
110m

Easy trail for children with several Heidi themed activities along the trail, including a barefoot path and playground. Fantastic mountain views and close to Zurich.

Heidiland

Kronberg Ridge Trail to Appenzell

Moderate
3.5 h
9.8 k
30m
870m

This mountain resort is designed for families, with lots of amusements: an alpine coaster, huge playground, zip line ropes course, and treasure hunt trail.

Appenzell

Toggenburg Tone Trail

Moderate
3 h
6.1 k
80m
240m

Fun trail for children in eastern Switzerland with 20 interactive musical activities along the trail and beautiful mountain views.

Toggenburg

Elm “Giant Forest” Theme Trail

Easy
1.5 h
2.6 k
50m
60m

Fun hiking trail for kids with activities, including a giant xylophone, an obstacle course, and small suspension bridge. Plus a playground with trampolines and scooter run.

Eastern Switzerland, Glarnerland

Altnauer apple tree trail

Easy
2 h
4 k
80m
80m

Enjoy apple blossom flowers on this spring hike in eastern Switzerland with activities for children as you walk thru the apple orchards.

Thurgau

Seerenbach Falls: Hike from Betlis

Easy
1.5 h
3.5 k
110m
110m

Short hike along the Walensee lake to some of the tallest waterfalls in Switzerland. Start with a ferry ride across the lake. For kids, there is a treasure hunt theme trail and small playground.

Heidiland

Braunwald “Magic Forest” Theme Trail for Children

Moderate
3.5 h
7.6 k
20m
660m

Theme trail with eight interactive stations along the trail with a dwarf theme. Includes a water play area and playground with trampolines.

Glarnerland

Flumserberg “Wild Man” Theme Trail for Kids

Easy
1.5 h
3.2 k
0m
350m

A fun theme trail in the mountains with several activities and a puzzle to solve along the way. Also a big playground and ropes courses for a full day of excitement.

Eastern Switzerland, Heidiland

Graubünden - southeast Switzerland

Morteratsch glacier • Easy walk to the ice

Easy
2 h
6 k
155m
155m

The easiest hike to a glacier in Switzerland with a wide gravel path, suitable for strollers, that leads directly to the glacier ice tongue feeding the river.

Engadin St. Moritz

Diavolezza: Highest Fire Pit in Europe!

Moderate
1 h
1.5 k
50m
50m

Ride a cable car to a view point over the Morteratsch glacier and some dramatic peaks. Then a short scramble up to the “Highest Fire Pit in Europe” where you can grill up a picnic.

Engadin St. Moritz

Lenzerheide Globi Trail

Easy
3 h
6 k
130m
170m

Globi hosts this educational theme trail that has 13 posts along the way, including a barefoot path. Lots of picnic areas with mountain views. Great choice for families.

Arosa Lenzerheide

Lake Pigniu: Hike to waterfall viewpoint

Easy
1.5 h
4.2 k
40m
40m

Easy walk around large alpine reservoir with two huge waterfalls and picnic area. Option for strollers.

Chur and Rhine Valley

Swiss National Park: Bear Theme Trail

Easy
1.5 k

Fun theme trail for families in the Swiss National Park with nine interactive stations along the trail, teaching you about bears.

Engadin Samnaun Val Müstair, Graubünden

Schellenursli Theme Trail

Moderate
3.5 k
250m

Theme trail with interactive play stations related to each page of this classic Swiss children’s book set in this area.

Engadin Samnaun Val Müstair, Graubünden

Ticino - southern Switzerland

See more favorite Ticino hikes.

Valle Verzasca • Hike along Swiss green water trail

Moderate
3.7 h
13.5 k
40m
398m

Hike along a beautiful river in the Verzasca valley, ending at the famous bridge and swimming area at Laverterzzo. Easy walking for families, with lots of places to stop for a picnic and splash in the river.

Ascona-Locarno

Monte Tamaro • Hike to mountain peak

Challenging
4 h
8.7 k
580m
590m

A tough but rewarding hike to the Monte Tamaro peak with panorama views of the Ticino region. If you prefer not to hike, there are plenty of other amusements here: playground, alpine coaster, climbing park, zip line, etc.

Lake Lugano

Lago Ritom • Hike around alpine lakes in Ticino

Moderate
4 h
12 k
390m
390m

Ride up a super steep funicular to reach this stunning alpine lake, with short and long hiking options for families.

Bellinzona

Cardada-Cimetta • Mountain Viewpoint & Kids Trail

Easy
1 h
1.2 k

This mountain viewpoint above Locarno has panoramic views over Lago Maggiore and a fun activity trail and playground for children.

Ascona-Locarno

Northwest Switzerland - Jura & Three Lakes, Basel, Aargau

Etang de la Gruère – easy walk around secluded lake

Easy short trail around small secluded lake in an nature preserve near Neuchâtel in western Switzerland. Nice place for picnics and swimming.

Jura & Three Lakes, Northwest Switzerland

Frick Sensory Trail

Easy
2 h
3.5 k

Theme trail for children with 8 interactive stations focused on the five senses. It’s an easy 3.5 km loop through a lush valley, cutting through farm fields and forests. Suitable for strollers.

Aargau - Solothurn

Holzweg Theme Trail

Moderate
4.7 k
220m
220m

Fun forest trail with 20+ wooden installations along the way, plus a castle and big playground. Nice for spring and hot summer days.

Jura & Three Lakes

Creux du Van • easy hike along the cliffs

Easy
1 h
4 k
90m
70m

Short hike along the top of an impressive natural rock arena in western Switzerland, with a half circle of sheer cliffs 150m tall.

Jura & Three Lakes

Lake Geneva Region - western Switzerland

Rochers de Naye 2040m • Highest viewpoint over Montreux

Ride a cogwheel train to the highest point overlooking Montreux, where you can peer over the cliffs, visit an alpine flower garden, and make friends with the resident marmots.

Montreux Riviera

Lavaux Terraced Vineyards Hike along Lake Geneva

Moderate
4 h
12 k
230m
240m

Walk through the Lavaux terraced vineyards along Lake Geneva, enjoying panorama views and wine tasting. Shorter route and shuttle bus options as well.

Lake Geneva & Western Switzerland

Les Pléiades Hike • Easiest hike for Narcissus flowers

Easy
2 h
5.45 k
200m
200m

The easiest flower hike near Montreux to see the narcissus blooms (wild daffodils) in late May. Accessible by car or train and an easy hike with lots of places to picnic.

Montreux Riviera

Glacier 3000 Les Diablerets

Moderate
2 h
4.3 k
70m
70m

How to visit Glacier 3000 near Gstaad, including a suspension bridge, alpine coaster, summer sledding park and glacier hike.

Gstaad & Simmental

TAGS: Activities for Kids, Best of Switzerland

Tanya is the founder and editor of Swiss Family Fun. She has lived in Zurich Switzerland since 2005, spending most of her free time hiking in the Swiss alps.